Vertical striper for wide-circular-rib-knitting machines



April 17, 1928.

W. LARKIN VERTICAL STRIPER FOR WIDE CIRCULAR RIB KNITTING MACHINES F d y 28. 192 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 17, 1928.

W. LARKIN VERTICAL STRIPER FOR WIDE CIRCULAR RIB KNITTING MACHINES Filed May 28. 192 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 17, 1928.

6 1,666,784 W. LARKIN VERTICAL STRIPER FOR WIDE CIRCULAR RIB KNITTING MACHINES Filed May 28. 192 S Sheets-Sheet 3 'Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,666,784 PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER LARKIN, OF NOBRIS'IOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO FIDELITY HA- CHINE COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

VERTICAL STBIPEB FOB WIDE-CIRCULAR-BIB-KNITTING MACHINES.

Application filed Kay 28, 1927. Seriatlie. 194,958.

This invention relates especially to w1de, circular rib knitting machines which are adapted to knit tubular undershirtmg and similar fabrics. i

The principal object of the invention is to provide mechanism WlllCh can be applied to existing machines for the purpose of producing lon itudinal stripes on the face of the fabric eing knitted.

The construction of my invention w1ll be fully disclosed hereinafter, reference bemg had to the accompanyin drawings of wh ch:

Fig. 1 is a sectional e ovation of suliicient of a wide circular rib knittin machlne to illustrate my invention as app ied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan vlew taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlar ed side elevat on of a portion of the mec anism shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, with the top plate or bobbin carrier removed;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a detail of the invention, and

Fig. 6 illustrates a modification of the 1nvention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the main base plateof a wide circular rib knitting machine 1s mdicated at 1. In the present instance, a vertical and stationary needle cylinder 2 is secured to the base plate 1 by any suitable means (not shown). The cylinder 2 is provided with the usual vertical grooves 3 in each of which is operatively mounted a cylinder needle 4. i

The base plate 1 is provided with a circular cavity 5, in which is rotatably mounted a rotatable cylinder cam plate' 6. The cam plate 6 carries the cylinder needle cam ring 7 in which is secured the usual needle operating cams 8, which cooperate with'the butts 9 of the cylinder needles 4. Adjacent the periphery of the cylinder cam plate 6, the said plate is provided with a ring gear 10 through which the said cylinder cam plate 6 and cam ring 7 are rotated by means (not shown) forming no part of the present invention.

Columns 11 are secured to and extend vertically from the cylinder cam plate 6, and at their upper ends support a spider having arms 12 which are suitably secured to the columns 11. The central hub 13 of the spider supports a dial 0st 14. A needle dial 15 is loosely mounted on the lower end of the dial post 14, bein supported thereon b a bearing plate 16 w ich is secured to the ial post 14 by means of a nut 17 applied to a reduced threaded portion 18 of saidpost.

The needle dial 15 is provided with the usual series of radially dis osed grooves 19 in each of which is suita ly secured a needle separator 20. These needle separators coo1peratively form grooves 21 in which are s idabl mounted the individual dial needles 22. T he individual dial needles 22 are adapted to be rojected between each adjacent pair of cy inder needles 4, in the usual manner, by means of dial cams 23 which are secured on the under side of a dial cap 24.

The dial cap 24 is suitably mounted on the dial post 14 and is rotated therewith by means of a key rod 25, one end of which is mounted in a bearing 26 secured to the upper side of the dial cap 24, the opposite end being secured in a lug 27 on one of the spider arms 12.

The-dial post 14 is slidable vertically in the hub 13 of the dial supporting spider for the adjustment of the needle dial 15 relative to the needle cylinder 2. The adjustment of the dial 15 relative to the cylinder 2 is accom lished through the dial post 14 by a threa ed nut 28 cooperating with a reduced threaded portion 29 on the upper end of the dial post 14, the nut 28 bearing on a washer 30 which in turn rests on the upper end of the spider hub 13. The dial post 14 is prevented from turning in the spider hub 13 by any suitable means, such, for example, as that illustrated in Fig. 1, which consists of a pin 31 extending through the spider hub 13 and through a slot 32 formed in the post 14.

The cylinder cam plate 6, the cam ring 7, columns 11, spider 12-13, dial post 14, and dial cap 24 rotate as a unit while the needle cylinder 2 and needle dial 15 remain stationary. The needle cylinder 2, as above mentioned is secured to the base plate 1 and the needle dial 15 is preventedfrom turning by the usual dogs (not shown) which 00- operate with the said needle dial 15 and the said needle cylinder 2, to prevent relative rotation between these elements.

The above described elements are common in the type of machine above referred to and form no part of my present invention which gers in vertical ali consists of providing striping or plaiting finent with any desired number of the cylinder needles, and operating these plaiting fingers in such a manner as will cause each of the individual fingers to wrap a separate plaiting thread around the cylinder needle with which that particular finger is in alignment.

In the present instance, I provide a striping finger carrier in the form of a cylinder held rigidly in coaxial alignment wlth and positioned above the needle cylinder'2. The cylindrical carrier 50 is provided with a thickened portion 51, adjacent its upper end, in which is formed a plurality of groups of vertically disposed grooves 52. In, any desired number of the grooves 52' ofeach group, I mount striping or plaitin fingers 53. The plaiting fingers of eac group are loosely mounted on a. pivot Wire 54 which lies in a circumferential groove 55 formed in the thickened portion 51 of the carrier 50. The pivot wire 54 is composed of a plurality of sections, one for each group of plaiting fingers 53 and is secured, at each of its ends, within the groove 55, by means of screws 56-56, the heads of which overlap the said wire and hold it in place. The screws 56 are located "in non-grooved portions of the carrier 50 between the adjacent groups of finger grooves 52 formed therein.

The thickened portion 51 of the carrier 50 is provided with a second or internal horizontally disposed groove 57 directly behind the pivot rod groove 55. The groove 57 extends outward from the inner wall of the carrier to a point beyond the base of the finger grooves 52, thus the grooves 52 communicate with the interior of the cylindrical carrier 50 throughout a portion of their length, directly behind and substantially an equal distance above and below the pivot wire 54.

Each of the plaiting fingers 53 is provided with a rear portion which extends into the internal groove 57 of the carrier 50, and is provided with a substantially straight edge 58 adapted to be engaged by operating cams 59 and 60. Each finger 53 extends downwardly-from the pivot wire 54 and is provided with a needle engaging foot portion 61 which is bent at an angle with respect to the general plane of the finger, (see Fig. 3). Each finger 53 is further provided with thread eyes 62, through which individual plaiting threads pass from bobbins 63 carried by the finger carrier 50.

The bobbins 63 are supported on a bobbin carrier ring 64 which is composed of a series of segments 65-65. Each segment comprises a lower step 66 and an upper step 67. The steps 66 and 67 are integrally connected by upright members 68. The periphery of the upper-step 67 is provided with a series of outwardly vextendingl ugs 69 to which are secured the opposite ends of thread guide plates 70, by means of screws 71.

The upper step 67 of each bobbin carrier segment 65 overlies the upper edge of the finger carrier cylinder 50 and is secured thereto by means of screws 72, passin through apertures formed in said steps and entering threaded apertures in the vupper edge 0 said finger carrier cylinder 50.

The finger carrier c linder 50 is rigidl supported on the need e dial 15 in the i0 lowing manner; In vertical alignment with the non-grooved portions 73 of the finger rators 75, each of w ich isprovided wit a vertically extending neck 76 which fits within a shoulder recess 77 formed inthe lower peripheral ed e of the carrier 50. The necks 6 of the nee 1e separators each have an outwardly projecting lug 78 at their upper end under the lower edge of which a lug 79 on a clamp plate 80 projects. The clamp lates 80 are each secured tothe carrier 50 y means of a screw 81.

The operating cams 59 and 60 are each mounted on the upper end of a post 82 and 83 respectively. The cam posts are rigidly secured in the upper side of the dial cap 24 and are carried around the dial post 14 with and by the said dial cap 24.

It will be understood that in machines of this general type a plurality of body thread guides are provided, which are spaced equally around the machine being carried by the cylinder cam ring 7. For each thread guide there is a corresponding series of cylinder needle operating cams on the said cylinder cam ring 7 and a like series of dial needle operating cams on the dial cap 24. I also provide a pair of finger operating cams 59 and 60 for each body thread guide, in order that the plaiting fingers will be operated for each course of body stitches formed by the machine.

In operation, as the cylinder cam rin 7 and the dial cap 24 are rotated the cylin er and dial needles are manipulated in the usual manner to form successive courses of stitches comprisin the body of the fabric being produced. hile the cylinder needles 4 are in their raised position the finger operating cam 60 successivel engages the rear edges 58 of the laiting ngers 53, below the pivot 54 thereoi: and forces the fingers outwardly. The outermost face of the angularly disposed foot portion 61 of each finger engages the rear edge of the cylinder needle with which the finger is aligned and causes the foot of the finger to move off to one side of the said needle, thence, due to the resiliency of the material of which the finger is composed, the fin er again assumes a position in vertical alignment with, but in front of, the said carrier cylinder 50 the ordinary dial needle 80 separators 20 are re laced by special se a-- llu needle. The finger has thus carriedthe plaiting thread to and around one side of the needle. The cam 60 now moves out of engagement with the finger 53 and the finger operating cam 59 is moved into engagement with the rear edge 58 of the finger above the pivot 54 thereof, thereby turning the finger on its pivot and returning it to its normal inner position. In traveling from its outer to its inner position the rear face of the angularly disposed foot portion 61 of the finger engages the front edge of the needle and causes the finger to move ofi to the o posite side of the needle, thus carrying the p aiting thread completely around the needle as it returns to its innermost position.

The fingers 53 are each given a slight twist in their upper portions which lie within the respective 'rooves 52, in order that the fingers will bind slightly in their grooves and thus be maintained in any position to which they may be moved by their operating cams 59 'and 60.

If desired, I may form a notch 90 (Fig. 6) in each of the fingers 53 below the pivot 54* thereof, and place a spring band 91 in the said notches which will extend completely around the finger carrier cylinder and tend to returnthe fingers to, and maintain them in, their inner or inoperative position, thus preventing the fingers from being accidently moved to their outer or thread laying positions.

In Fig. 6, I have also illustrated a modified form of means for securing the finger carrier cylinder 50 to the dial 15*. In this form of the invention, a circular depending flange 92, formed by the production of the shoulder recess 77 is pressed into notches 93, one of each of which is formed in the rear side of each of the necks 7 6 of needle separators 75. In this instance, the needle separators 7 5 are formed integral with the dial 15, and are produced by the cut-ting of the needle grooves 21. With this means of fastening the finger carrier in lace, the carrier may be provided with a nger groove in alignment with each cylinder needle if desired, in place of these grooves being divided into groups. The pivot wire 54: in such case would be a continuous spring ring, which will be self-sustaining in its retaining groove 35.

The bobbins 63 are each enclosed by a glass cover 94, which is centered around the bobbin supporting pin 95 by means of a flanged bottom plate 96. Each cover 94 is provided with an opening 97 in its apex through which the plaiting thread w extends from the bob bin 63 in the cover to one of the thread eyes 98 in thethread guide plates 7 0, and thence to and through the thread eyes 62 formed in the plaiting fingers 53.

I claim:

1. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap having camsfor o crating the dial needles; a cylindrlcal p aiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder; means for r gidly secnrin said carrier to said needle dlal'; plaiting ngers pivotally mounted in said carrier and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles, andmeans for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle.

2. In combination with a wide circular rib knit-ting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, acylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap having cams for operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder and rigidly secured to said needle dial; vertical grooves formed in the periphery of said carrier; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said vertical grooves and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; and means for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it'is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle.

3. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap having cams for operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder and rigidly secured to said needle dial; vertical grooves formed in the periphery of said carrier; plaiting fingers pivotally mountedin said vertical grooves and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; a circumferential groove formed in the periphery of said carrier; a pivot wire in said circumferential groove on which said fingers are mounted; and means for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle.

4. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap having cams for operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder and rigidly secured to said needle dial. vertical grooves formed in the periphery of said carrier and arranged in separated groups therearound;

' plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said vertical grooves and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles a circumferential groove formed in the periphery of said carrier; a pivot wire in said circumferential groove on which said fingers are mounted; means located intermediate said groups for reinovably securing said pivot wire in place; and means for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread'around said needle.

5. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cyllnder needles, and a dial cap having cams for operating the dial needles; :1 cylindrical plaiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said carrier and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; needle separators in said dial having necks engaging saidcarrier; means for securing said carrier to said needle separator necks; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said carrier and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; and means for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle.

6. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine havinga needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap having cams for operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder; vertical grooves formed in the periphery of said carrier and arranged in separated groups therearound; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said vertical grooves and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; needle separators 1n sald dial having necks engaging said carrier; means located intermediate said groups for securing said needle divider necks to said carrier; and means for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle.

7. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap having cams for operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder; vertical grooves formed in the periphery of said carrier and arranged in separated groups therearound; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted means-1.,

in said vertical grooyes and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; a shouldered recess formed in the lower peripheral edge of said carrier; needle separators in said dial havin shouldered necks within said recess; shou dered clam plates located intermediate said groups an engaging said shouldered separator necks for securing said carrier to said needle dial; and means for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle.

8. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap havingcams for operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaiting finger, carrier coax-ially aligned with said needle cylinder and rigidly secured to said needle dial; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said carrier and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; cams secured to said dial cap and adapted to engage said fingers, for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle.

9. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap having cams for operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder and rigidly secured to said needle dial; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said carrier and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; cams secured to said dial cap and adapted to engage said fingers successively at opposite sides of their respective pivots for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle.

10. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap having cams for operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaitin finger carrier coaxially aligned wlth said needle cylinder and rigidly secured to said needle dial; vertical grooves formed in the periphery of said carrier; a horizontal groove formed in the interior face of said carrier and extending through the wall thereof to the base of said vertical grooves; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said vertical rooves and aligned with certain of said cy inder needles; cams secured to said dial cap and operable in said interior horizontal groove'and adapted to en age said fingers successively at opposite si es of their respective .pivots for moving one end of each finger'around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle.

11. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle cylinder and needles operatively mounted therein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap havin cams for. operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder and rigidly secured to said needle dial; vertical grooves formed in theperiphery of said carrier; a circumferential groove formed in the peripheral face of said carrier at right angles. to said vertical grooves; a horizontal groove formed in the interior face of said carrier and extending through the wall thereof to the base of said vertical grooves; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said vertical certain of said cyl nder needles; a pivot wire in said circumferential groove on which said fingers areFmounted; cams secured to said dial cap" and'operable in said interior horizontal groove and adapted to engage said fingers successively at opposite sides of their res ective pivots, for moving one en of each nger around the needle with'which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around said needle. y r I 12. In combination with 'a'wide' circular rib knitting machine having a needle 0 linder and d s enemies-eas e rooves and aligned with.

in, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam rin for operating the cylinder needles, a dia cap having cams for operating the dial needles, a cylindrical plaitin finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder and rigidly secured to said needle dial; plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said carrier and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; means on said carrier for supporting striping thread bobbins; means for guiding said striping threads to said fingers; and means for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting. thread around said needle.

13. In combination with a wide circular rib knitting machine having a needle c linder and needles operatively mounted t erein, a needle dial and needles operatively mounted therein, a cylinder cam ring for operating the cylinder needles, and a dial cap havin cams for operating the dial needles; a cylindrical plaiting finger carrier coaxially aligned with said needle cylinder and rigidly secured to said needle dial;

plaiting fingers pivotally mounted in said carrier and aligned with certain of said cylinder needles; a bobbin supportin ring secured to said finger carrier; threa eyes on said bobbin ring for guiding striping d threads from the bobbins to the fingers; and means for moving one end of each finger around the needle with which it is aligned, for carrying a plaiting thread around sald needle.

WALTER LARKIN. 

